I remember back in early 2001 watching the news say that gas was going to hit $3.00/gallon. I was really worried. We had a little one at home that had to go to the Dr. 2 times a week and the trip was 1 1/2 each way. Between medicine and the actual Dr. bills this was going to push us over the edge. This was when I took shopping with coupons up to the next level and we obviously survived.

Looking back $3.00 isn't so bad when you are currently paying $3.56/ gallon. Wasn't it just a few months ago when I was paying "just" $2.56/ gallon? Oh the good old days!

I'm actually doing okay with my battle over the kitchen (remember my post about being completely pathetic in the kitchen and all those great ideas I was given?). I've mastered (I'm not saying everything tastes great, but it's edible) enough menu ideas that we're not eating mac' n cheese or spaghetti every night. So the food part of my budget is doing well. Now I need to focus on gas.

We drive a lot for work. It's not unusual for us each to be on the road for 4-5 hours a day and that takes a lot of gas. We bought a sedan a few months ago and sold my husbands truck. We really needed the truck when we bought it a few years ago, but we did not have the same need for a truck anymore and we needed something that was nice to put clients in, but that also got better gas mileage. I'm so happy we did. We are saving close to $700/month since we got rid of the truck, but I can't help but think we could still do better.

My car is an SUV and although it's not the worst in gas milage it's not the best either and I really think about gas whenever I get in it. I'd love to get a smaller car but we need at least one car that can fit the whole family.

Here are the ways I'm trying to save gas... Please let me know yours too!

1. Group trips together- I do the bank, PO, kids pickup and grocery shopping all together whenever possible.

2. Don't speed. The faster you drive the quicker you burn up the gas.

3. Avoid the stop and go. I *try* to schedule appointments for times when I know there's not the usual stop and go.

4. Fill up when I see a good price. www.GasBuddy.com keeps track of gas prices and you can search by zip code.

5. Empty out my car. It's amazing how fast your car can "grow" junk. Not really, we seem to just leave stuff in the car and the more weight the car carries, the less gas mileage you get.

5. The old rule of getting your oil changed regularly and keeping my tires properly inflated.

6. No emergency runs for butter or eggs. It's not worth it to run out to the store for just eggs or butter unless I'm already out and about.

7. I buy my gas with this discover card that gives cash back on all fuel purchases. Link available at www.NoExcuseBudget.com

I think the one that is helping the most is mapping out my day the best I can. I seem to get the most bang for my buck, gas wise, is by not having to warm up a cold engine all the time and it's nice for the rest of my life to get all the errands done together and then spend the rest of the day getting actual work done.